[Archive of Material Related to Lynne O’Neill, a Burlesque Entrepreneur and Entertainer]

[Various locations in New York, 1971. Very good plus.. Sixty-five photographs, thirteen pieces of ephemera, and one typed letter. Most items with one or more duplicates. Condition strong, with most items near fine; one flyer rather chipped and worn. Archive of materials documenting the fabulous career of dancer, model, actress, writer, real estate broker, and lifelong entrepreneur, Lynne O'Neill. O’Neill (1918-2010) was born Elaine Jose Nolan, and she began her performing career during World War II traveling through the Midwest with the United Service Organizations. In the late 1940s, O’Neill began her burlesque career in Chicago clubs. At her mother’s suggestion (her mother often accompanied her to shows) O’Neill took her garter off and gave it to an audience member beginning a schtick that eventually earned her the title “The Original Garter Girl.” In the mid-1950s, O’Neill moved to New York and worked at various burlesque clubs, including The Original Nut Club, Club Samoa, Heat Wave, Cinderella, and Cafe Paree where she performed multiple shows a day. During this time, O’Neill also modeled for paintings and magazine covers and was photographed by entertainment photographers Maurice Seymour and Bernard of Hollywood, best known for his iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe. 

During a challenging time for female performers, when club owners frequently exploited their entertainers in various ways, Lynne O’Neill appeared to seize control of her career and personal brand, hustling and working tirelessly to earn her income beyond the confines of the club circuit. O'Neill found various creative ways to support herself beyond her performances, including selling garters, photo calendars, and pin-up photos, while also encouraging her fans to correspond directly with her. She even established a subscription fan club, complete with a president and secretary. Additionally, she wrote a column chronicling her experiences in the business for the risqué men’s magazine Man to Man, where she continued to urge fans to write her, and starred in a revealing tell-all film, “Secrets of an Uncover Model,” about her life as a burlesque dancer. When burlesque shows waned in the early 1970s, she moved to Nassau County, Long Island with her mother and opened a real estate brokerage firm. There, she lived under her birth name, Elaine Nolan, and became an actively engaged member of the community. Lynne O’Neill's success can be attributed both to her talent and her determination to make it all come together.

The collection includes various marketing materials for her revealing feature film, an array of photographs and photoshoot contact sheets, promotional cards for appearances at burlesque clubs, color photocopies of handwritten letters that were used in her subscription fan club, fan club membership cards signed by the club’s president and secretary (who happened to be her mother), a 1971 typed letter from a friend reminding her about “keeping your figure in limbering up shape,” a diet booklet, a photographic matchbook, calendars of various sizes featuring O’Neill, and more. In many of the photographs in this collection, O’Neill can be seen in various stages of undress, playfully teasing the viewer with her body. A wonderful snapshot of one woman's successful career as a risqué entertainer and businesswoman.